Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study
Abstract Introduction Increasing attention is being paid to preventing the progression of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Today, there is a growing emphasis on listening to the “voice” of people with mild cognitive impairment to ensure patient-centered care. However, how these individuals ar...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02979-4 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849238215693697024 |
|---|---|
| author | Poursoleiman Leila Rooddehghan Zahra Bahramnezhad Fatemeh Shafiee Sabet Mahdi Dehghan Nayeri Nahid |
| author_facet | Poursoleiman Leila Rooddehghan Zahra Bahramnezhad Fatemeh Shafiee Sabet Mahdi Dehghan Nayeri Nahid |
| author_sort | Poursoleiman Leila |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Increasing attention is being paid to preventing the progression of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Today, there is a growing emphasis on listening to the “voice” of people with mild cognitive impairment to ensure patient-centered care. However, how these individuals are perceived and how they experience their illness remains underexplored, necessitating further research to achieve a comprehensive understanding. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment, including their challenges, emotions, and personal insights. Methods This study was conducted from 2023 to 2024 using a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis. The study involved 16 adults who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, with a purposive sampling approach that maximized diversity. The data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis according to Granheim and Lundman. Results The results of the data analysis revealed two main categories: emotional schemas in mild cognitive impairment and understanding the meaning of the diagnosis. The subcategories of the main category Emotional schemas in mild cognitive impairment included (1) understanding one’s emotional nature (2), hidden narratives ranging from blaming to seeking empathy, and (3) understanding the need for others. The subcategories that emerged from the “understanding the meaning of the diagnosis” category were (1) finding meaning in the face of cognitive impairment and (2) understanding meaning as a diminishing life experience. Discussion and conclusion The findings of this study suggest that the experience of mild cognitive impairment involves more than just cognitive problems. A deeper understanding of these experiences could contribute to the development of more effective interventions and improve the quality of life for adults with mild cognitive impairment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4493feea1320475ca05a451fe1c337ef |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-4493feea1320475ca05a451fe1c337ef2025-08-20T04:01:42ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-07-0113111010.1186/s40359-025-02979-4Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative studyPoursoleiman Leila0Rooddehghan Zahra1Bahramnezhad Fatemeh2Shafiee Sabet Mahdi3Dehghan Nayeri Nahid4Medical Surgical Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical SciencesMedical Surgical Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical SciencesNursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDept. of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDept. of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Introduction Increasing attention is being paid to preventing the progression of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Today, there is a growing emphasis on listening to the “voice” of people with mild cognitive impairment to ensure patient-centered care. However, how these individuals are perceived and how they experience their illness remains underexplored, necessitating further research to achieve a comprehensive understanding. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment, including their challenges, emotions, and personal insights. Methods This study was conducted from 2023 to 2024 using a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis. The study involved 16 adults who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, with a purposive sampling approach that maximized diversity. The data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis according to Granheim and Lundman. Results The results of the data analysis revealed two main categories: emotional schemas in mild cognitive impairment and understanding the meaning of the diagnosis. The subcategories of the main category Emotional schemas in mild cognitive impairment included (1) understanding one’s emotional nature (2), hidden narratives ranging from blaming to seeking empathy, and (3) understanding the need for others. The subcategories that emerged from the “understanding the meaning of the diagnosis” category were (1) finding meaning in the face of cognitive impairment and (2) understanding meaning as a diminishing life experience. Discussion and conclusion The findings of this study suggest that the experience of mild cognitive impairment involves more than just cognitive problems. A deeper understanding of these experiences could contribute to the development of more effective interventions and improve the quality of life for adults with mild cognitive impairment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02979-4Mild cognitive impairmentPerceived experienceAdultsQualitative studies |
| spellingShingle | Poursoleiman Leila Rooddehghan Zahra Bahramnezhad Fatemeh Shafiee Sabet Mahdi Dehghan Nayeri Nahid Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study BMC Psychology Mild cognitive impairment Perceived experience Adults Qualitative studies |
| title | Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment a qualitative study |
| topic | Mild cognitive impairment Perceived experience Adults Qualitative studies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02979-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT poursoleimanleila perceivedexperiencesofadultswithmildcognitiveimpairmentaqualitativestudy AT rooddehghanzahra perceivedexperiencesofadultswithmildcognitiveimpairmentaqualitativestudy AT bahramnezhadfatemeh perceivedexperiencesofadultswithmildcognitiveimpairmentaqualitativestudy AT shafieesabetmahdi perceivedexperiencesofadultswithmildcognitiveimpairmentaqualitativestudy AT dehghannayerinahid perceivedexperiencesofadultswithmildcognitiveimpairmentaqualitativestudy |